Jefferson was more than a little excited when Melody Doyle made her weekly bank visit. He poured on the charm,hoping she would find him appealing and encourage her father to let him court her.
“You’re looking quite lovely today, Miss Doyle,” he said, greeting her at the door. “I must say that shade of blue does wonders for your eyes.”
She offered him a smile. “Thank you, Jefferson. You’re looking quite dapper yourself.”
He grinned. This was a new suit, and he’d hoped she might notice it. “It’s the finest cloth to be had. I arranged for it to be custom-made.”
“Well, it certainly looks to fit you.” She drew out cash from her handbag. “I’ve come to make a deposit in our account. Now that I’m working, I’m hoping to build up our savings again.”
Jefferson took the money and moved to stand behind the teller’s cage. He proceeded with the transaction, hoping to engage her in talk of a night out soon.
“I spoke to your father. You know, about the arrangement to court you.”
“Yes, I’m fully aware of the arrangement.” She offered nothing more.
“Well, I was just thinking we could perhaps take dinner together one night next week.”
“Not unless my father has approved it. He’s already arranged for me to go out on Friday and Saturday. You would have to speak to him.”
Jefferson frowned. “I did speak to him. I thought once we had discussed my intentions, I would be free to pay you court.”
“No, Da doesn’t do things the conventional way. Goodness, if he did, he wouldn’t have advertised for a husband.” She toyed with her purse. “Da has his own ways and reasons.”
“Did he say anything about me?”
“He said you came to see him. Otherwise, Da hasn’t told me much about any of the would-be suitors. That’s also his way.”
Jefferson counted out the money she’d given him and had her sign a receipt. After giving her a copy, he quickly went back to the topic at hand. “I don’t understand. Will he contact me, or will I need to see him again?”
“I would imagine you’d need to speak to him directly. I cannot speak for him, Jefferson.”
Just then the office door opened, and Melody turned. Charles Decker came from his office, and he smiled when he caught sight of Melody.
“How do you do this fine day, Miss Doyle?”
“I insist you call me Melody. Otherwise, I won’t answer to you.”
He laughed and gave a little bow. “I yield to your request, Melody. How are you?”
“I’m good. I was just telling Jefferson that Da has started choosing suitors for me to meet. I have a Friday night supper and a Saturday outing on my schedule already.”
Decker frowned. “I still think it’s a bad way to find a husband.”
“It’s not the old-fashioned way of meeting someone by chance or even through mutual friends or family,” Melody agreed, “but Da is determined.”
“But why this way?”
Jefferson was surprised that his boss cared so much about the matter. It wasn’t like he was on the roster to date Miss Doyle.
“I don’t know,” Melody confessed. She looked quite thoughtful for a long moment. “I think Da blames himselfthat I didn’t marry young. I stayed with him and took care of his needs, and I think now it’s all catching up with him. Since he hurt his back, he’s had time to dwell on far too much.”
Charles nodded and ran his hand back through his hair. “I suppose it just seems ... well, unsafe.”
Melody laughed. “Out of all the men in the world, I trust Da the most to know the truth of a man’s character. He has a gift of discernment that is unlike any I’ve ever seen. He always knows when a man is playing him false.”
Jefferson felt a momentary tightness in his chest. Was that possible? Could a man ever be able to know the heart of another man? The deep, secret parts of that heart? He frowned and felt the tightness move to his forehead as his eyes narrowed. Surely that wasn’t true. If it was, Jefferson was in trouble.
Much of what he’d said had been insincere or outright lies, but he had felt confident that he’d played the role well. Now he had his doubts. If what Melody said was true, then Mr. Doyle would not be allowing him to court his daughter.
